Time-delay relay



Aug. 29, 1950 T. B. JOCHEM mm DELAY RELAY 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 3,1948 se 66 mg i Aug. 29, 1950 T. B. JOCHEM 2,520,212

mm DELAY RELAY Filed June 5, 19 m 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 .a/ 26 5 5a 40 /6 34as '36 a9 /9 Patented Aug. 29, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICETIltIE-DELAY RELAY Theodore B. J ochem, Wauwatosa,

to Cutler-Hammer, Inc., corporation of Delaware Wis., assignorMilwaukee, Wis., a

Application June 3,1948, Serial No. 30,952

(01. zoo-97 v with on naval ships under war time service conditionswithout unwanted changes from selected operating conditions.

Another object is to provide a relay of the aforementioned type which ischaracterized by quick make and break operation of its contacts fordirect current service at relatively high voltages.

Another object is to provide a relay of the aforementioned type using aminimum number of moving parts to effect the desired sequence andcharacter of operation.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear.

The accompanying drawings illustrate one embodiment of the inventionwhich will now be described, it being understood that the embodimentillustrated is susceptible of various modifications in respect of itsdetails without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a front elevational view of an electromagnetically operatedrelay constructed in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the relay in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view in side elevation of the relay in Fig. l, and

Fig. 4 is a view taken substantially along the broken line 4-4 of Fig.3.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive, they show a preferred form ofsupport and housing member 5 which provides for the support and mountingof the various parts of the relay assembly. Member 5, which ispreferably a molded casting of brass or other non-magnetic metal,comprises a vertical bracket portion 6, an upper flanged base portion 1and a lower flanged base portion 8 integrally connected by concentricportions 9 and II] which are substantially cylindrical in form. The baseportions 1 and 8 are each substantially rectangular in horilontal crosssection and the bracket portion 6 is rectangular in vertical crosssection. The bracket portion 6 is provided with openings extendingtherethrough to facilitate mounting of the relay assembly. A downwardlyopening cylindrical recess H (Fig. 3) is formed in member 5 within theportions 8 and 9 and provides a chamber adapted to accommodate aflexible diaphragm l2 upon upward movement of the latter, said diaphragmbeing'secured between the base portion 8 and a bottom cover member l3.An upwardly opening chamber is provided within the portions 1, 9 and inof member-5, said chamber comprising a cylindrical recess l4 which atits lower endcommunicates with the recess ll through a passage l5, and aconcentric cylindrical recess I6 of larger diameter opening through thebase portion 7 of member 5 at its upper end and communicating at itslower end with the recess Cover member l3 which is preferably moldedfrom a suitable phenolic molding compound is provided with an upwardlyopening chamber to accommodate diaphragm 12 upon downward movement ofthe latter. This chamber has an upper portion ll of invertedfrusto-conical form and has concentric therewith a shallow cylindricalportion l8 of relatively large diameter and a deeper portion IQ ofsmaller diameter. Member 13 is also provided at its lower end with anintegral portion 20 of substantially rectangular form in vertical crosssection, said portion 20 merging into a frusto-conical portion 2| whichunderlies the afore-described chamber. Portion 2| has a flange 22abutting the base portion 8 of member 5 to which it is secured at spacedpoints by screws 23. Portion 20 of member l3 has exteriorly openingcylindrical passage 24 which extends lengthwise thereof and which leadsto the large end of a tapered passage 25 communicating with thecylindrical portion I9 of said chamber. A cylindrical passage 26 ofsmall diameter extends upwardly from passage 24 and communicates with apassage 21 formed in member 5 and leading to recess I l.

Passage 24 is suitably threaded from its outer end for a portion of itslength for cooperation with a threaded end portion 28 of an adjustableneedle valve screw 28. Needle valve screw 28 is thus adapted to beadjusted longitudinally within passage 24 so that its tapered endportion 28 which is axially alined with the tapered passage 25 may beprojected into or withdrawn from passage 25 to close or open the latterto the desired degree. Member I3 has formed therein transversely of thepassage 24 a substantially rectangular upwardly opening slot to receivea fiber member 29 which frictionally accommodates the threaded portion28 of valve screw 28 and which tends to lock the latter when adjusted toany position.

The flexible diaphragm I2 is preferably made in circular form irom athin sheet of rubber impregnat @Xfiile material. It is provided with aseries of marginal openings to register with screw receiving openingsformed in the flange portion 22 of member l3 and is also provided withan opening registering with the passage 25 of member |3 and the passage2'! in member 5. Ex? tending through diaphragm |2 centrally thereof andsuitably clamped thereto is an assembly comprising a disc 30 ofsubstantially inverted frustoconical form overlying the diaphragm, and arelief valve 3|.v Diaphragm I2 is of greater diameter than disc 30 andis secured about its outer circumference between the portion 8 of memberand cover member Hi, the latter being tightly secured to member 5 by thescrews 23 which penetrate the openings in the diaphragm and take intothreaded recesses or inserts in the base portion 8 of member 5.

Relief valve 3| extends through diaphragm I2 and is provided with upperand lower shoulder portions 32 and 33 which are adapted to secure valve3|, disc 30 and an annular sealing washer 34 to diaphragm l2 in a fluidtight relation. Disc 30 is provided with a central opening and ispreferably positioned above diaphragm l2 and secured between the latterand the upper shoulder portion 32 of valve 3|. The sealing washer 34 issecured between the bottom face of diaphragm l2 and the lower shoulder33. The upper shoulder is preferably formed as by spinning or rivetingover a portion of the outer side wall of valve 3| after the assemblycomprising the disc 39, diaphragm l2 and washer 34 has been positionedas above described with respect to the valve body of Valve 3|. Reliefvalve 3| is provided with two opposite- 1y opening cylindrical recesses35 and 36 which communicate through a circular passage 31 of smallerdiameter. A ball 38, preferably made of polished steel, is disposedwithin recess 36 and is normally biased upwardly to seal the lower endof passage 31 by a small coiled compression spring 39 which bears at itslower end against an annular retaining ring 40 rigidly secured over thebottom end of valve 3| as by riveting over the end portion of the valvebody. The lower end of a rod 4| is positioned within recess 35 and isadapted for limited lengthwise movement therein. Rod 4| is providedadjacent its lower end with a pcripheral extension or shoulder 4| whichcooperdicularly upwardly from a base portion 44 by which frame 44 issecured to the base I of member 5 by a plurality of screws i penetratingthrough suitable openings formed in the base portion 7 and taking intothreaded recesses formed in the portion 44. A central cylindricalflanged opening is provided in the portion 44 of frame 44 and ispreferably formed by extrusion of the portion 44 to provide acylindrical flange 44 Adjacent their upper'corners the portions 44 and44 are each sheared downwardly, the sheared corner portions being bentperpendicularly and being provided with threaded openings extendingtherethrough, forming supporting and attaching lugs for a steel plate 44which forms the upper side of magnet frame 44,

The plate 44 is secured to the portions 44 and 44 by a plurality ofscrews which penetrate ates with a retaining ring 42 secured at the topend of valve 3| in the manner described in connection with retainingring 40. Rod 4| has a lower end portion 4| of reduced cross sectionwhich is adapted to project through the passage 31 when rod 4| movesdownwardly thereby pressing the ball 38 downwardly and away from thelower end of passage 31 to permitflow of fluid from the lower to upperdiaphragm chamber. Rod 4| is slidable within the opening l5 and isprovided with a threaded upper end portion which threads into a member43.

For the most part, the portion of the relay assembly thus far describedcomprises the diaphragm time delay means which is like that shown anddescribed in the Kuhn et al. Patent No. 2,506,225, issued May 2, 1950.As will be later more fully explained, the time delay means provides andjustable time interval between the energizetion of the relayelectromagnetic operating coil and the closure of circuit comm-utatingcontacts.

A magnet frame 44 preferably formed of a soft steel, is secured to theupper side of the flanged base 1 of member 5 and has a solenoidoperating coil 45 positioned therewithin. Magnet frame 44 comprisesvertical portions 44 and 44 integrally connected with and projectingperpenscrew receiving openings formed therethrough and take into thethreaded openings in the aforedescribed attaching lugs of portions 4 and4 A central circular opening extending through plate 44 is provided toaccommodate a portion 46 of a cylindrical plunger stop 46 which has aportion 46 of larger diameter depending downwardly below plate 44 Thestop 46 which is of magnetic material is rigidly secured to the plate 44as by spinning or riveting over the end of the portion 46* whichterminates above plate 44 A downwardly opening frusto-conical recess 46is provided in the lower end of stop 46 which pening communicates withthe upper end of the portion 46 through a cylindrical passage 46 Acylindrical tube 41, preferably formed of a non-magnetic metal such asbrass, is secured adjacent its upper end about the portion 46 of stop 46with its inner wall engaging the cylindrical wall of the portion 46 in atightly fitting relation and with its upper end abutting against theplate M Tube 41 is secured adjacent its lower end by tight fittingengagement of its outer wall with the inside of the flange 44 of magnetframe 44.

The solenoid coil 45 is disposed about the tube 41 within magnet frame44 and is restrained against vertical movement by a spring-washer 48which presses soid coil upwardly against the lower side of the plate 44A solenoid plunger 49, which is preferably formed of a magnetictype-steel, is adapted to move upwardly within the tube 4'! when thecoil 45 is energized. Plunger 49 has a cylindrical portion 49 which issomewhat less in diameter than the inner diameter of tube 41, and acylindrical portion 49 of relatively smaller diameter which joins withthe portion 49 'at a sharply defined shoulder, and a frusto-conicalportion 49 which at its base merges into the portion 49 Thefrusto-conical portion 49 of plunger 49 is complementary in form. to therecess 46 in stop 46 and is adapted to engage with'the bottom of saidrecess to limit the upward movement of plunger 49. Plunger 49 is alsoprovided with a cylindrical passage 49 extending lengthwise thereof toaccommodate a push rod 50 which projects through said plunger.

A coiled compression spring 5| is interposed within tube 41 to biasplunger 49 downwardly against the member 43. Spring 5| bears at itsupper end against the'lower end of the portion 46 of member 46 and itslower end bears against the aforedescribed shoulder on plunger 49.

The push rod 50 which is preferably cylindrical in form also projectsupwardly through the passage 46 of stop 46, a downwardly openingcylindrical recess 52' formed in a portion 52 of a contact lever 53, anopening 52 extending through portion 52 from the upper end of recess 52and through and beyond an opening formed in a lug extension 54 of aportion 54 of contact lever 53. Adjacent its upper end rod 50 isthreaded for a certain distance to accommodate a slotted nut 55 which isretained in a fixed position on rod 50 by a cotter key which projectsthrough a transverse opening (not shown) drilled through rod 50 adjacentthe upper end of the latter and a pair of oppositely disposed slots innut 55. At its lower end rod 50 projects within the passage 43 of member43 and'is secured to said member by a pin which tightly fits withinalined openings formed transversely through the enlarged cylindricalportion 43 of member 43 and rod 56. Rod 50 is of such diameter that itis adapted to freely move lengthwise within the above mentioned openingsthrough which it proiects.

The member 43 is also provided with a cylindrical portion 43 which is ofsmaller diameter than the portion 43 with which it joins at its upperend at a sharply defined shoulder. A guide 56 having an annular portion56 is disposed about the portion 43 of member 43 and is retained againstthe lower end of the portion 43 of said member by a coiled compressionspring 51. Guide 56 is also provided with a radially projecting lugportion 56 integrally formed with the portion 56 which is slidablewithin a vertical guide groove 58 formed in member said guide groovemerging at its open side with the recess l6 with which it isco-extensive in the vertical direction.

Spring 51 which is disposed about the portion 43 of member 43 bears atits upper end against the lower side of the portion 56 of guide 56 andat its lower ends against the end wall of recess I4. Spring 51 biasesthe assembly comprising rod 4|, member 43, guide 56 and rod 50 forupward movement but the biasing force of spring 51 is preponderated bythe opposing force of spring 5| and the weight of the plunger 49*.

Contact lever 53 comprises the portion 52 which is preferably formed ofa suitable molded insulating material and the portion 54 which ispreferably made of metal. essentially of inverted channel form invertical cross section and said portion is rigidly attached to theportion 52 as by a pair of rivets which penetrate through alinedopenings formed in such portions. The lug extension 54- which isintegrally connected with the upper horizontal side of portion 54depends angularly upwardly towards the free end of the portion 52 andthe aforementioned opening extending through said lug is in substantialaxial alinement with the recess 52 and the opening 52'- of the portion52. Adjacent its free end, the portion 52 is of reduced rectangularcross section and is provided with a horizontal opening extendingtherethrough to provide for attachment of a knife blade type contact 59which is best shown in Figs. 3 and 4. Contact 59 is provided with achannel shaped attaching portion 59 conforming to the reducedrectangular cross section of the portion 52 of lever 53 and has axiallyalined openings extending through the vertical legs thereof toaccommodate a bolt 55 which penetrates through the openings in saidvertical legs and the horizontal opening in the portion 52; said contactbeing rigidly secured to the portion 52 by a nut which The portion 54 istakes onto the threaded end of bolt 59. A contact blade portion 59 ofcontact 59 extends transversely of lever 53 and upwardly and is adaptedto bridge a pair of stationary contacts 6| and 62 incident to theenergization of coil as will later be more fully explained.

An essentially inverted U-shaped bearing bracket 63 is secured to theupper side of plate 44 of magnet frame 44 by a plurality of screws whichpenetrate through openings formed in the horizontally depending portions63 and 63 and take into threaded openings formed in plate 44, with apair of such screws preferably providing for simultaneous securement ofplate 44 to the aforementioned attaching lugs formed on the portion 44of magnet frame 44. The portions 63'- and 63 are respectively integrallyconnected with vertical portions 63 and 63 which are in a parallelspaced relation to each other and are integrally connected at theirupper ends by a horizontal portion 63 which lies in the plane parallelwith the portions 63* and 63 The portions 63 and 63 are provided withaxially alined openings to accommodate and provide bearing support for apivot pin 64 on which contact lever 53 is supported. Vertical dependinglegs of the portion 54 of lever 53 have axially alined openings toaccommodate the pin 64 which projects through and beyond the portions 63and 63. The pin 64 is secured against axial movement in any preferredmanner such as by cotter keys which penetrate through transverseopenings in pin 64 adjacent the ends thereof. Contact lever 53is-pivotally supported with a loose fit on pin 64 between the portions63 and 63 and is adapted to be pivotally moved about said pin.

The portions 63 and 63 are also provided with axially alined openings toaccommodate and provide bearing support for a pivot pin 65 on which alatch 56 is supported for pivotal movement. Pivot pin 65 is securedwithin said openings in the manner described in connection with pivotpin 64. Latch 66 is provided with an opening through which the pin 65projects and said latch is pivotally supported on pin 65, equidistantbetween the portions 63 and 63 of bracket 63, there being tubularspacing member disposed about pin 65 on opposite sides of the latch.

Latch 66 is biased for pivotal movement in the counterclockwisedirection (as viewed in Fig. 3) by a coiled torsion spring 61 which isdisposed about one of the spacing members. One end of spring 61 ishooked over the upper side of latch 66 and the other end of said springis hooked over an edge of the portion 63 of bracket 63. Latch 66 isprovided with a cam portion 66 which is essentially of wedge shape andwhich is adapted to engage at a slightly rounded end thereof with theupper surface of a flat cam plate 68 and the end of a stop plate 69which are rigidly secured to the upper side of the portion 54 of contactlever 53. Latch 66 is also provided with a portion 66 which isintegrally connected with the portion 66 and which extends essentiallyat a right angle to the end of the portion 66 The portion 66 of latch 66is provided with a threaded vertical opening extending therethrough toaccommodate a threaded screw 10 having an enlarged fiat head which isadapted to provide an adjustable abutment on said latch. The screw 10may be adjusted to a desired position and locked in such position by anut which engages with screw 10 above the upper side of the portion 66As will be later more fully explained, the nut 55 on rod is adapted toengage with the head of screw 10 upon upward movement of said rodthereby to effect pivotal movement of latch 66 in the clockwisedirection (as viewed in Fig. 3) against the bias of the spring 61.

Contact lever 53 is biased for pivotal movement in the clockwisedirection (as viewed in Fig. 3) by a coiled compression spring 1 I.Spring 1| is disposed about push rod 50 and bears at its upper endagainst the end wall of recess 52 in portion 52 of lever 53 and itslower end bears against the inner surface of a flanged retaining member12 which is disposed about rod 50 and which abuts against the rivetedend of the portion 46 of the stop 46. Spring 1| is restrained againstlateral movement by the side wall of recess 52 at its upper end and atits lower end by the flange of retaining member 12.

The contacts 6| and 62 each comprise a pair of cooperating spring typecontact jaws within which blade 59 of contact 59 penetrates for bridgingof contacts BI and 62 as an incident to pivotal clockwise movement ofcontact lever 53 as will later be more fully explained. Contacts 6| and62 are each secured to an insulating vertical contact board 13 adjacentthe upper end of the latter in a spaced relation to each other. Each ofthese contacts is rigidly attached to a bolt as by welding and thesebolts penetrate openings extending through the board 13 and are threadedadjacent their ends to provide for threaded engagement with a pair ofnuts which hold the respective contact assemblies in a rigid relation tosuch board and which also provide for making circuit connection with thecontacts 6| and 62.

Contact board 13 adjacent its lower end is secured to the outside of theportion 44 of magnet frame 44 by a pair of threaded attaching posts 14and 15 which penetrate through openings formed in board 13 and by nutswhich take onto threaded end portions of said posts to hold contactboard .13 rigidly against the portion 44*- of magnet frame 44. Posts 14and 15 are secured to the portion 44 of frame 44, as by welding therespective reduced end portions of such posts, which penetrate throughopenings formed in the portion 44 to said portion 44.

A .hood 16 formed of insulating material is secured to contact board 13as by a screw Tl which penetrates an opening provided in board 13 andtakes into a threaded recess (not shown) formed in such hood. The hood16 together with the upper end of contact board 13 provided a partialenclosure for contacts 6| and 62 whose respective pairs of jaws opendownwardly slightly below the lower end of hood 16. Hood 16 is suitablyformed to accommodate lateral movement of such contact jaws therewithinand is also provided with a downwardly opening vertical notch (notshown) to accommodate the portion 52 of lever 53 when the latter movespivotally upwardly to effect engagement of contact blade 59* withcontacts 6| and 62.

A rectangular strip 18 formed of insulating material is secured to theupper side of plate 44 of magnet frame 44 underlying contact 59 andcontacts 6| and 62. At one side thereof strip 18 abuts against contactboard 13 and is preferably secured to plate 44 by a pair of the screwswhich are provided for securement of said plate to the vertical portion44 of magnet frame 44 as aforedescribed. Thus strip 18 together withcontact board 13 and the hood I6 insure that electrical arcs will not bedrawn across to magnet frame 44 as an incident to disengagement ofcontact 59 from contacts 6| and 62.

As will be understood, the spring 5| is of such character that when inits extended condition shown in Fig. 3 it together combined withtheweight of plunger 49 and the assembly comprising rod 4|, member 43,guide 56, rod 50 and the nut 55 will be sufficient to overcome theopposing bias of the springs 51 and H and retain the plunger 49, saidassembly and contact lever 53 in their extreme downward positionsdepicted in Fig. 3.

The operation of the relay will now be described.

Referring particularly to Fig. 3, it shows the aforedescribed parts ofthe relay in the respective positions ultimately assumed as an incidentto de-energization of coil 45. Upon energization of coil 45 the plunger49 quickly moves upwardly within member 41 against the bias of spring 5|and said plunger engages the stop 46 by abutment of its portion 49 withthe bottomof the recess 46 and plunger 49 remains in such position solong as coil 45 is energized. The assembly comprising rod 4|, member 43,guide 56 and rod 50 therefore tends to move upwardly under the biasexerted by spring 51 but such movement is retarded. During slightvertical upward movement of the latter assembly, the end 4| of rod 4|moves out of engagement with ball 38 which then seals passage 31 inrelief valve 3| under the bias of spring 39. Also upon initial movementof rod 4| its shoulder 4| comes into engagement with the retaining ring42. Thus continued movement of rod 4| causes the assembly comprisingdiaphragm l2, disc 30,and valve 3| to follow in upward movement.However, the last mentioned assembly retards the rate of upward movementof rod 4|, member 43, guide 56 and rod .50 by virtue of a, vacuumproduced in the lower diaphragm chamber and thereafter rod 4|, member43, guide 56 and rod 50 move upwardly at a controlled rate dependingupon the rate that air or other fluid can flow from the upper diaphragmchamber through passages 21, 26, 24 and 25 into the lower diaphragmchamber. The rate of flow of air on other fluid from the upper to thelower diaphragm chamber may be varied by, adjusting needle valve screw28 so that its tapered end portion 28 increases or decreases theeffective opening through the tapered passage 25.

As the rod 50 moves upwardly, the nut 55 dis-v engages from the lug 54and ultimately engages the aforedescribed enlarged head of screw Ill. Oncontinued upward movement of rod 50, latch 66 is pivotally moved in theclockwise direction against the bias of spring 61. Clockwise pivotalmovement of latch 66 effects disengagement of its cam portion 66* fromthe end of the stop plate 69 and finally effects disengagement of saidcam portion from the upper surface of cam plate 66 whereupon the lever53 becomes unlatched and pivotally moves in the clockwise direction withsnap action under the bias of the spring 1|. Such movement of lever 53causes the blade 59 of contact 59 to be interposed between theaforedescribed cooperating spring jaws of contacts 6| and 62; the jawpairs of the respective contacts yielding laterally to accommodate theblade 59 therebetween. Thus the contacts 6| and 62 are bridged by theblade 59 of contact 59 to afford completion of circuit between contacts6| and 62.

Upon subsequent de-energization of coil 45, the plunger 49 will quicklymove downwardly to its initial position under the bias of spring 5|.

In moving downwardly, plunger 49 causes the assembly comprising rod 4|,member 43, guide 65 and rod 50 to move downwardly therewith. During theinitial downward movement the shoulder 4| of rod 4| moves out ofengagement with retaining ring 42 and the lower end portion 4| movesinto engagement with the ball 38 thereby to force the latter away fromthe lower end of passage 31. Depressing the ball 38 away from the end ofpassage 31 thereby permits substantially unrestricted passage of air orother fluid from the upper to the lower diaphragm chambers through thevalve 3|. Thereafter further downward movement of rod 4|, member 43 androd 58 as well as plunger 49 is obtained at a rapid rate with theassembly comprising diaphragm l2, disc 38 and valve 3| moving downwardlyat the same rate.

As rod 50 and the nut 55 move downwardly, the latch 66 moves pivotallyin the counterclockwise direction under the bias of spring 61.Ultimately the nut 55 disengages from the head of screw 10 andthereafter engages the lug 54 of lever 53. On continued downwardmovement of rod 50 and nut 55, contact lever 53 is caused to movepivotally in the counterclockwise direction against the bias of thespring II to effect disengagement of blade 59 from contacts 6| and 62;such disengagement of blade 59 from contacts 6| and 62 being essentiallywith snap action. By the time lever 53 has assumed its normal position,the latch 66 will have pivotally moved in the counterclockwise directionsufficiently to eilect engagement of its cam portion 66 with the upperside of cam plate 68 and with the end of stop plate 63 thereby topositively latch contact lever 53 in its lower position with the contactblade 59 of contact 59 disengaged from the stationary contacts 6| and62.

The aforedescribed abutment screw 18 of latch 66 affords adjustment ofthe point in the upward travel of the push rod 50 at which contact lever53 is released for clockwise pivotal movement by the tripping of latch66 out of engagement with the cam plate 68. Preferably the adjustment ofscrew 70 should be such that con-' tact lever 53 is released forclockwise pivotal movement just before the rod 50 reaches the limit ofits upward travel, thereby affording the maximum retarding effect to beobtained from the diaphragm time delay means.

In like manner the nut 55 on the rod 50 may ,be adjusted to cause thecontact lever 53 to be moved to its lower position at a certain point inthe downward travel of rod 58. Preferably the adjustment of nut 55should be such that contact lever 53 is just moved to its lower positionwhen the guide 56 e ages the bottom wall of recess I6 in member 55thereby insuring against forced engagement of lever 53 with theinsulating strip 18 on plate 44 of magnet frame 44.

Because of the aforedescribed construction the instant relay possessesfeatures which make it resistant to unwanted changes of either of itsoperating conditions under high intensity shock. Certain features ofthis relay make it inherently shock resistant as will now be described.

In considering the behavior of the relay under such shock conditions,the vertical component of shock waves need only be seriously considered.As a first case assume that the relay is in its inoperative conditionwhich it ultimately assumes as an incident to deenergization of solenoidcoil 45. The vertical components of shock waves will tend to moveplunger 43 upwardly and the assembly comprising rod 4|, member 43, guide56 and rod 50 would then tend to move upwardly. However, upwarddisplacement of rod 4| will cause ball 38 to sealpassage 3! and theabove assembly would only move freely in the upward direction for ashort distance before it is opposed by the retarding force of diaphragml2 due to the partial vacuum produced in its lower diaphragm chamber.Further the energy of plunger 49 is rapidly dissipated by the biasingforce of spring 5| and would be returned to its lower position beforethe nut 55 on rod 56 could engage the screw 10 of latch 66. Althoughlatch 66, due to its own inertia might pivotally move against the biasof the torsion spring 61 and thereby effect disengagement of its camportion 66- from cam plate 68, since rod 58 would only move a shortdistance upwardly lever 53 would not move suiilcientl to permitengagement of contact blade 59 with the stationary contacts 6| and 62.

Now consider the case when the relay is in its operated conditionultimately assumed as an incident to energization of coil 45 with thecontact blade 59 bridging contacts 6| and 62. The vertical component ofshock waves will tend to move plunger 49 downwardly away from the stop46 but such tendency is opposed by the magnetic pull provided by coil45. Inasmuch as the nut 55 is disengaged from lug 54 of contact lever 53some downward travel of rod 50 can be tolerated and any such travel ofrod 50 would not be sufficient to cause engagement of nut 55 with thelug 54 Contact lever 53 itself would only tend to move pivotally in thecounterclockwise direction due to its own inertia which is effectivelycounterbalanced by the biasing force of the spring 1|. Any shocktransmitted to lever 53 through pivot pin 64 would not cause rotation oflever 53. Further the gripping action of the jaws of contacts 6| and 62on contact blade 59 of contact 59 would also tend to counteract anypivotal movement of lever 53. Although the jaws of contacts 6| and 62might spread laterally they inherently restore themselves and any suchspreading would be of momentary duration and insufiicient to permitcontact blade 59 to drop out of its bridgin relation with contacts 6|and 62.

What I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination, cooperating contacts, biasing means for certain ofsaid contacts, latching means for the latter of said contacts torestrain the same in a, given position against the bias of said means,said latching means being biased to latching position, a member movablein one direction to trip said contact latching means and in an oppositedirection to free said latching means therefrom and to reset saidcertain of said contacts against the bias of the first mentioned meansin a position to be again latched, operating means for moving saidmember in opposite directions selectively comprising a spring device inwhich energy is stored by movement of said member in said oppositedirection for expenditure to move said member at a regulable speed inlatch tripping direction,

2. In combination, cooperating contacts, biasing means for certain ofsaid contacts, latching means for the latter of said contacts torestrain the same ina given position against the bias of said means,said latching means being biased to latching position, a member movabletain of said contacts against the bias of the first mentioned means in aposition to be again latched, operating means for moving said member inopposite directions selectively comprising a spring device in whichenergy is storedby movement of said member in said opposite directionfor expenditure to move said member at a regulable speed in latchtripping direction and further comprising a preponderating pring to movesaid member to store energy in said spring device and an electromagnetwhich when energized relieves said member of the influence of saidpreponderating spring.

3. In combination, cooperating contacts including a contact carryinglever movable between opposite extreme positions, means constantlybiasing said lever toward one extreme position, a latch to restrain saidlever in its opposite extreme position, means constantly biasing saidlatch into restraining relation with said lever, a member constantlyunder bias for movement in a direction to trip said latch, said memberbeing movable in the reverse direction against its bias to free saidlatch therefrom and to move said lever to eilect disengagement of saidcontacts, electromagnetic means controlling said member, includin meansselectively to release said member for movement under its bias and tomove said member against its bias according to the electrical conditionof said electromagnetic means, and means which upon movement of saidmember in latch tripping direction introduces time delay in suchmovement.

4. In combination, cooperating contacts, alever carrying certain of saidcontacts and movable selectively to effect engagement or disengagementof said contacts, means constantly biasing said lever for movement toeffect engagement of said contacts, a latch to restrain said lever in aposition disengaging said contacts, means constantly biasing said latchinto restraining relation with said lever, a member constantly underbias for movement in a direction to trip said latch, said member beingmovable in the reverse direction against its bias to free said latchtherefrom and to move said lever to effect disengagement of saidcontacts, electromagnetic means controlling said member, including meansselectively to release said member for movement under its bias or tomove said member against its bias according to the electrical conditionof said electromagnetic means, and means which upon movement of saidmember in latch tripping direction introduces regulable time dela insuch movement.

5. In combination, a pair of contacts each of which comprisescooperating spring jaws adapted to grip a blade contact interposedtherebetween,

the electrical condition of said electromagnetic means, and means whichupon movement of said member in latch tripping direction introducesregulable time delay in such movement.

6. In combination, cooperating contacts, a lever carrying certain ofsaid contacts and movable selectively to efiect engagement ordisengagement of said contacts, means constantly biasing said lever formovement to effect engagement of said contacts, a latch to restrain saidlever in a position disengaging said contacts, means constantly biasingsaid latch into restraining relation with said lever, a membermovable inone direction to trip said latch and movable in the opposite directionto free said latch therefrom and move said lever against its bias to aposition disengaging said contacts wherein it is again latched, a springbiasing said member for movement in said one direction, a preponderatingspring to move said member in said opposite direction to store energy inthe former spring, an electromagnet which when energized relieves saidmember of the influence of said preponderating spring, and means whichupon movement of said member in latch tripping direction introducesregulable time delay in such movement.

'7. In combination, a pair of contacts each of which comprisescooperating spring jaws adapted to grip a blade contact interposedtherebetween, a blade contact for bridging the former contacts, apivotally supported lever carrying said bridging contact, spring meansconstantly biasing said lever for movement to eflect engagement of saidcontacts, a pivotally supported latch, spring means constantly biasingsaid latch in a direction to engage said lever, said lever having a partwith which a portion of said latch is adapted to a blade contact forbridging the former contacts,

a lever carrying said bridging contact, means constantly biasing saidlever for movement to effect engagement of said contacts, a latch torestrain said lever in a position disengaging said contacts, meansconstantly biasing said latch into restraining relation with said lever,a member move said member against its bias according to frictionallyengage when said lever is moved to a position disengaging said contactsfor locking it in such position, a member, spring means constantlybiasing said member in a direction to trip said latch to permitsnap-action movement of said lever to a contact engaging position, saidmember being movable against its bias to free said latch therefrom andto move said lever to said contact disengaging position wherein it isagain locked by said latch, electromagnetic means controlling saidmember for movement under its bias or to move said member against itsbias according to the electrical condition of said electromagneticmeans, and means which upon movement of said member in latch trippingdirection introduces regulable time delay in such movement.

8. In combination, a pair of contacts each of which comprisescooperating spring jaws adapted to grip a blade contact interposedtherebetween, a blade contact for bridging the former'contacts, apivotally supported lever carrying said bridging contact, spring meansconstantly biasing said lever for movement to effect engagement of saidcontacts, a pivotally supported latch, spring means constantly biasingsaid latch in a direction to engage said lever, said lever having a partwith which a portion of said latch is adapted to frictionally engagewhen said lever is moved to a position disengaging said contacts forlooking it in such position, a member, spring means constantly biasingsaid member in a direction to trip said latch to permit snap-actionmovement of said lever to a contact engaging position, said member beingmovable against its bias to free said latch therefrom and to move saidlever to said contact disengaging position wherein it is again locked bysaid latch, said latch additionally having an adjustable part in thepath of said member which according to its adjustment determines themovement of said member required for tripping said latch,electromagnetic means controlling said member for movement under itsbias or to move said member against its bias accord-,

ing to the electrical condition of said electromagnetic means, and meanswhich upon movement of said member in latch tripping directionintroduces regulable time delay in such movement.

9. In combination, a pair of contacts each of which comprises springjaws adapted to grip a blade contact interposed therebetween, a bladecontact for bridging the former contacts, a pivotally supported levercarrying said bridging contact, spring means constantl biasing saidlever for movement to effect engagement of said contacts, a pivotallysupported latch, spring means constantly biasing said latch in a.direction to engage said lever, said lever having a part with which aportion of said latch is adapted to frictionally engage when said leveris moved to a position disengaging said contact for looking it in suchposition, a member movable in one direction to trip said latch to permitsnap-action movement of said lever to a contact en ing position andmovable in the opposite direction to free said latch therefrom and tomove said lever against its bias to said contact disengaging positionwherein it is again locked by said latch, a spring biasing said memberfor movement in said one direction, a preponderating spring to move saidmember in said opposite direction to store energy in the former spring,an electromagnet which when energized relieves said member of theinfluence of said preponderating spring, and means which upon movementof said member in latch tripping direction introduces regulable timedelay in such movement.

THEODORE B. JOCHEM.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,029,137 Stevens Jan. 28, 19362,266,804 Roby Dec. 23, 1941 2,308,660 Kouyoumjian Jan. 19, 1943

